The Plough At Eaves (January 2002)

The Plough is famous on two counts -- it's the oldest pub in the Fylde and it's the hardest to find. How old? The whitewashed main building was the site of a Civil War battle (Cuddy) and dates back to 1645. And the pub - which used to be called the Plough At Cuddy Hill -- is everything you would expect from a hostelry with history: beamed ceilings, flagstones, brasses on the walls, toby jugs behind the bar.

Landlord and head chef Mike Dawson has been in residence for a year and he has maintained the Plough's reputation for traditional home-cooked food. The succulent shoulder of lamb (£7.50) is probably the signature dish and there's more fish on the menu than you might expect from a country pub. The Plough whale (haddock, £6.95) is a staple, the specials board often includes trout and swordfish, and lobster thermidor (half for £10) is the biggest draw on Saturday (a la carte) night.

The Plough is a popular spot for walkers, cyclists and the soft-top set and can get busy, particularly on summer lunchtimes. If weather permits, eat outside. If not, choose the bar over the more modern restaurant area. And if you're hungry steer clear of Mondays when the kitchen is closed.

The Lancaster canal is close by and on a summer afternoon you can't beat a leisurely stroll along the towpath. If you're looking for something more challenging, the landlord can recommend a local walk or you can continue on to Beacon Fell.

Getting there? The simplest option is to take the M55 to the Broughton turn-off, follow the A6 north towards Garstang, cross the traffic lights at the Golden Ball pub, then take the first left, Station Lane. Follow it for 2 miles, crossing the railway and the canal but not crossing any white lines, and you'll arrive safe and sound at the Plough.